Forum Discussion

mrgrim007's avatar
mrgrim007
Explorer
Dec 23, 2016

How many days to travel 1,260 miles?

My wife's siblings are planning a surprise party for my in-laws in June. Originally, we were all going to meet in a more or less central location for a big family vacation. Now, they don't want to do that and want us to meet them in Michigan instead (where the in-laws and one sibling lives). This is 1,260 mile from us.

We told them it would probably take us 2.5 to 3 days, one-way, to get there and because of vacation time, costs, max MPH, etc. we'd only stay for at most four days before coming back. We'd rather drive somewhere in between everyone and have more time to see everyone instead of spending more time on the road.

Everyone in the family is telling us it shouldn't take more than 1.5 days to get there, citing a family friend it towed a TT for the same trip about 6 years ago.

So, how long should it take us to get there? Going 60 MPH we could cover 420 miles per day. Doing 840/day sure seems like a lot to us.

Are we being unreasonable in saying it might take us 6 days of travel and would rather not try to cram that into half the time?
  • korbe's avatar
    korbe
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    When I drive 600 miles in one day, not even towing, I'm a bit tired. Do that for two days straight AND towing. No thanx. The family get-to-gether isn't that important. ;) Realistically, for us to enjoy the journey, I would max out on about 5 hours driving per day.
  • IdaD's avatar
    IdaD
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    Day and a half is doable. I've covered 900+ miles towing per day before, and that's with 3 young kids along. I do push faster than 60, though. I'd probably split the distance and take two days, though. Maybe a little longer on day 1 to make day 2 easier.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    It would be pushing it for a professional truck driver to make that many miles in 2 days. I don't see how in the world you would pull it off in 1.5.
    When I travel with the TC and the family we are usually all tired, agrivated, and ready for a break after about 400. For us, I could make it happen in 3 days but it wouldn't be any fun. 4 days would make for a nice trip. If I had to do it with the family in 2 days I probably would stay home.
  • 2oldman's avatar
    2oldman
    Explorer II
    Dec 23, 2016
    mrgrim007 wrote:
    Everyone in the family is telling us it shouldn't take more than 1.5 days to get there,
    Everyone must be very young and not need to sleep.

    Towing (you posted in towing), at my age, that would be 6 days. 1.5 days would be out of the question.
  • STBRetired's avatar
    STBRetired
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    At 60 MPH, that's 21 hours of driving time, not allowing for fuel stops, meals, sanity breaks, etc. If you are willing and capable of pushing it a bit to drive 10.5 hours per day (12 to 14 hours of total time) then you can do it in 2 days. Otherwise allow for 3 days.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    I would say 2.5 days one way. I drive about 500 - 550 per 10-12 hour day.
    Its a long way for such a short visit.

    You know your own limitations and capability better than all of us.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    We could do it in 2 days but then we would sleep on the 3rd and be with the family on the 4th. OR, you could take 3 days and be with the family on the 4th.
  • 1320Fastback's avatar
    1320Fastback
    Explorer
    Dec 23, 2016
    Stick with your original estimate. You might make it further on the first day but don't push it overall because when you get there you will be in no mood to party or even be awake.

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